With its majestic natural landscapes, diverse ethnic cultures, and numerous unique festivals, Hoa Binh province is an attractive destination that entices travellers from far and wide to explore and experience during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday.
Tourists visit the flower garden of Mung hamlet which boasts a romantic scenery of blooming cherry blossoms in spring in Hop Phong commune, Cao Phong district.
The Gau Tao festival of the Mong ethnic group in the two communes of Hang Kia and Pa Co, Mai Chau district, marks the start of festive activities in various localities across the province. This year, it is organised at the district level, with enhanced communication and promotion efforts. Notably, the festival coincides with the Mong ethnic group's traditional Tet, featuring a variety of cultural programs, musical performances, and experiential activities, such as a show of the costumes of ethnic groups in Hoa Binh, a sticky rice cake-making contest, folk sports competitions, and traditional games. This is also an opportunity for tourists to discover the community-based tourism destinations of Hang Kia and Pa Co and get impressive experiences of Mong people's Tet customs.
Vuong Phuong Giang, a visitor from Hanoi, said that she loves exploring the cultures of different regions and she has visited many destinations in Hoa Binh. The community-based tourism destinations of Mong people impresse her with well-preserved cultural values.
The spring atmosphere in the mountainous area, the beautiful nature, the rich culture, and the hospitality of local people, have captured her heart, she said.
In the Muong Thang - Cao Phong area, convenient transport infrastructure and tours that connect various destinations have helped attract a large number of domestic tourists. Notable routes include the Vietnamese Scientists' Heritage Park (Bac Phong commune) – Mung flower garden (Hop Phong commune) – Dau Rong mountain cave complex (Cao Phong town), along with organic farms and resorts in Mo village of Binh Thanh commune.
During the Tet holiday, eco-tourism, leisure, and sports tourism destinations are also bustling with visitors, primarily international tourists and well-off Vietnamese travelers. The number of visitors to the districts of Mai Chau, Luong Son, and Kim Boi usually surges significantly. The occupancy rate at local resorts and hotels in the first month of the year averaged 80-90%.
Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bui Xuan Truong said that more and more Vietnamese tourists and foreigners prefer traveling during Tet. In addition to beautiful resorts around Hoa Binh Lake, the tourism areas in Mai Chau, Luong Son, and Kim Boi districts; community-based tourism sites of the Muong, Thai, Mong, and Dao ethnic minorities; and distinctive festivals such as the Tien Pagoda festival, Khai Ha festival, Muong Thang season-opening festival, and the Xen Muong festival are unique products that are expected to attract visitors and stimulate Hoa Binh's tourism during Tet holiday.
